The Diamondbacks faced a tough day on Sunday afternoon at Chase Field, as they were defeated by the Toronto Blue Jays with a final score of 10-4. The loss ended their four-game winning streak and marked one of the most challenging performances of the season for the team.
One of the most notable moments came from Ketel Marte, who hit two batted balls exceeding 110 mph in the game. Unfortunately, both of these powerful hits resulted in outs, highlighting the frustration that accompanied the loss. Marte walked back toward the dugout, clearly displeased, and even tossed his helmet in the air in a moment of exasperation.
For right-hander Ryne Nelson, this was one of the worst starts of his career and among the worst in club history. He managed to record only one out while allowing eight runs, which left the team struggling to recover. His performance was particularly uncharacteristic, as he had been pitching fairly well through his first four starts of the season.
A Disastrous Start
Nelson’s outing began almost immediately with trouble. The first seven hitters from the Blue Jays recorded hits, leading to a 4-0 deficit after just 20 pitches. By the time he walked Myles Straw to load the bases, it was clear that the situation was spiraling out of control. Nelson struck out Brandon Valenzuela before giving up a bases-clearing double to Nathan Lukes, marking the end of his start.
“I felt like we were one or two balls going a foot or so in the other direction away from getting out of it,” Nelson said. “The game can be pretty unkind to you at times.”
Manager Torey Lovullo echoed similar sentiments, noting that Nelson made some critical mistakes during the game. “He just made some mistakes today. He paid for every mistake he made. That’s part of the game.”
Despite the loss, there were a few positives to take from the game. One of the most significant was the early exit of right fielder Corbin Carroll due to lower back tightness. Though he appeared to be in discomfort, Carroll remained confident about his status and expressed optimism about being back in the lineup when the Diamondbacks returned to action on Tuesday, April 21.
“Just got a little treatment; I feel like I could go play right now,” Carroll said. “It feels good. No worries there.”
Another bright spot came from right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, who delivered a strong performance in his first relief appearance since being moved from the rotation. He pitched 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, showing promise for his future role in the bullpen.
Looking Ahead
Although the loss stopped the Diamondbacks’ win streak, it did not diminish their success in the series against the Blue Jays. They managed to take two out of three games, securing their fourth consecutive series victory. With a record of 13-9, the team continues to show resilience despite the setbacks.
Lovullo emphasized the importance of focusing on the positives, especially after such a difficult game. “We won a series,” he said. “A team like the Blue Jays, the defending American League champions, I don’t care what kind of baseball they’re playing or who’s injured, they’re always a threat. And we took two out of three games. I’m going to focus on that.”
Geraldo Perdomo’s Day Off
In another development, Geraldo Perdomo received his first day off of the season. Manager Torey Lovullo opted to start rookie Jose Fernandez at shortstop and bat him third. Perdomo has struggled this season, hitting just .220 with a .640 OPS, and has also made several defensive and baserunning errors.
“He’s grinding right now,” Lovullo said. “The game is not easy for him. He’s making some mistakes in different points in time. He’s done that his whole career. But I think he’s probably just getting a little bit worn down from an emotional/mental standpoint and I wanted to give him that type of a blow.”
Perdomo’s recent issues included missing second base during a double play attempt and being thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. Lovullo acknowledged the need for rest but also stressed Perdomo’s value to the team.
Upcoming Schedule
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks have a busy week of games:
- Monday, April 20: Off.
- Tuesday, April 21: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (1-0, 3.38) vs. White Sox RHP Sean Burke (0-2, 4.43).
- Wednesday, April 22: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 1.96) vs. White Sox LHP Anthony Kay (1-0, 2.60).
- Thursday, April 23: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (4-0, 2.78) vs. White Sox RHP Davis Martin (3-1, 2.16).
